A lady in waiting
Hertfordshire Life|August 2020
A secret marriage that took place this month nearly 150 years ago saw a ‘banjoplaying barmaid’ join one of the wealthiest families in England. The notorious Lady Meux was just getting started
Gillian Thornton
A lady in waiting

:

Every generation has its own colorful characters, but they don’t come much more flamboyant than Lady Valerie Meux, chatelaine of Theobalds Park in Cheshunt, and the despair of polite Victorian society. Today, the small-time actress from humble origins would be the delight of the glossy gossip magazines, but at the turn of the 20th century, backs were often turned and invitations declined by established members of the British aristocracy.

Ask someone to picture a typical Victorian society couple and most people would imagine an elegant lady in floor-length skirt and jewels, seated beside an upstanding gentleman in dapper suit and waistcoat. The kind of posed portrait taken to impress the neighbors. But a grainy sepia photo of Lady Valerie Meux and her husband Sir Henry Bruce Meux – pronounced ‘Mews’– immediately suggests a somewhat unconventional couple.

Lady Meux is seated out of doors, absorbed in playing the banjo with a large dog at her feet. Sir Henry sits on the ground beside her, dressed in tweed knickerbockers and deerstalker, lolling languidly against her thigh. One can only imagine what the neighbors had to say about that.

この記事は Hertfordshire Life の August 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Hertfordshire Life の August 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

HERTFORDSHIRE LIFEのその他の記事すべて表示
Hertfordshire Life

Explosive history

With bonfire night this month, author Harry Smee recounts the explosive story of his family’s firework company, Brock’s, creators of wonders and war-changing weapons

time-read
6 分  |
November 2020
A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer
Hertfordshire Life

A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer

Laurie McGrath, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery in Halls Green, gives an insight into her working day

time-read
2 分  |
November 2020
Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES
Hertfordshire Life

Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES

Meet the fire investigation dogs securing convictions against arsonists and murderers who otherwise may go free

time-read
5 分  |
November 2020
The greatest traveller
Hertfordshire Life

The greatest traveller

Exploring ancient civilisations and rising powers, Violet CressyMarcks became the most travelled woman of her age. Fifty years after her death we look at her incredible life

time-read
6 分  |
November 2020
Hertfordshire Life

Return of the Queen of Romance

Twenty years after the death of record-breaking novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Gillian Thornton talks passions, plots and a new audience with her son at the family home in Essendon

time-read
7 分  |
November 2020
In bed with CELEBS
Hertfordshire Life

In bed with CELEBS

Marking its 70th year, Welham Green soft furnishings company Ashley Wilde has grown from a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap business into an industry leader with A-list partnerships

time-read
6 分  |
November 2020
Roam with a view
Hertfordshire Life

Roam with a view

We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look

time-read
7 分  |
November 2020
Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
Hertfordshire Life

Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle

The secret life of a much-loved British mammal and simple steps we can take at home to stop its extinction

time-read
3 分  |
November 2020
Hertfordshire Life

A walk down Surreal Street

Paul Crowley draws on his graphic designer’s eye to capture scenes from the country to the street, all tinged with surreality

time-read
3 分  |
November 2020
5 minutes with
Hertfordshire Life

5 minutes with

Carole Spiers, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce member and founder of International Stress Awareness Week

time-read
2 分  |
November 2020